Non Timeline

Description

The Non Timeline is a powerful, reliable and fast modular Digital Audio Timeline arranger, released under the GNU General Public License (GPL). It utilizes the JACK Audio Connection Kit for inter-application audio I/O and the NTK GUI toolkit for a fast and lightweight user interface.

Please see the Manual for more information (and plenty of screenshots).

Features

Non Timeline shares many features in common with other, similar projects. However,
Non Timeline's unique architecture permits surprising new functionality.

JACK I/O

For the absolute best in low latency, high performance, production grade audio, Non Timeline uses JACK for realtime audio routing.

Journaled Projects

This unique ability to store state in a compact journal of bidirectional delta messages of plain text means that Non Timeline takes zero time to 'save' projects and there is zero risk of project corruption. Plus, undo data extends all the way to the beginning a project--while consuming no additional RAM.

Non-Destructive Editing

Whether recorded or imported, once in Non Timeline the audio files are never altered, duplicated, or deleted.
All editing is done on 'region' structures which represent portions of audio files. This makes projects very lightweight and 'undo' instantaneous.

Freewheeling Export

Bounce audio at faster than realtime speeds. Either all internally, or through Non Mixer or standalone JACK programs.

Drag 'n Drop Import

Audio files can be dragged and dropped from any DND capable file-browser directly onto tracks.

Looped Recording

Recording may be optionally looped over an arbitrary section of the timeline, this allows an individual to record multiple takes of a part without having to return to the workstation to setup a new take.

Punch In/Out Recording

Recording may be limited to specific sections of the timeline by the definition of punch cursors. Any number of punch cursors may be defined.

Cross-Fades

Where regions overlap, a cross-fade exists. This means that the transition
from region A to region B will be gradual rather than abrupt. The shape of
the gain curve may be selected separately for region A and B of the
cross-fade. Available curves include: Linear, Sigmoid, Logarithmic, and
Parabolic.

Unlimited Automation

Each track can have an unlimited number of Control Sequences. Each control sequence represents a graph of changes to a single controllable value over time. Anything may be controlled, including external software supporting OSC, although the most common application is Non Mixer gain automation.

Time/tempo mapping

The time and tempo maps (rulers) affect where and how many bar/beat lines
are drawn. During playback they affect the time/tempo of the JACK transport
so that other programs, like the Non Sequencer, can follow along in sync.

Pan/Zoom Navigation

Navigation is made easy with an always visible pan/zoom control at the bottom of the editor window which displays a thumbnail view of the entire timeline.

Import from Ardour

Non Timeline can import basic tempo information, sources, tracks, audio sources, and region placement from a existing Ardour version 1, 2 and 3 sessions. It even can import session versions that Ardour no longer supports, or cannot open without crashing. No installation of Ardour is required.

Unlimited Tracks

Tracks in a DAW are unlike tracks on tape in that a single track can
contain more than one channel of audio. Each audio track has its own
record, mute, solo, and gain, as well an active take and any number
of inactive takes. A track may also have any number of Annotation
and Control sequences associated with it.

Unlimited Takes

A take is a sequence of regions. Each track has current take, implied by
'the track', as well as any number of other, inactive takes. A track may be
set to display all takes simultaneously, to ease the process of reviewing
past takes or stitching together a new take from parts of previous takes.
Old takes may be deleted, either one by one or all at once, when they are no
longer required.

Automatic New Takes

Non Timeline can be set to automatically create new takes for armed tracks at the beginning of recording. This is especially useful in combination with looped recording.